FLORENCE, S.C. - Spartanburg lawyer and businesswoman Karen Floyd says she will run for state superintendent of education in 2006.

Floyd, a Republican, kicked off her campaign at stops around the state Wednesday. She said South Carolina spending on education is among the highest in the nation, yet the state stacks up poorly against others in SAT scores and high school graduation rates.

"I believe our system is flawed - not individuals," she said.

In the GOP primary, Floyd will face Dan Hallman, who announced his candidacy in January. Current superintendent Inez Tenenbaum, a Democrat, also plans to run again.

Floyd, whose twin boys attend a public school in Spartanburg County, said she supported school choice, though she would not say whether she supported current legislation in the Statehouse that would give tax credits to parents whose children attend private schools or are home schooled.

"Giving parents choice, particularly for special needs children and underperforming schools is a wonderful thing," Floyd said.

Floyd founded The Palladian Group, a marketing and public relations firm in 2000 and is a former staff attorney for the state Senate and a former Spartanburg County chief magistrate.

Tenenbaum said South Carolina's schools have made much progress, including SAT scores that have improved faster than any other state in the nation.

"It's really disappointing that the parents, teachers, and students who are working so hard and making so much progress have to see their efforts run down for political gain, yet again," Tenenbaum said in a statement.